NASCAR announced that Jake Finch will replace Ross Chastain in the No. 9 Chevrolet for the 2026 postseason opener at Darlington Raceway, marking a notable return to competition for Finch after a July crash ended his previous attempt.
Chastain, a standout in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, achieved historic finishes this season, including a top‑four sweep at Indianapolis and the first ever 1‑2‑3‑4 sweep for JR Motorsports, while also securing a win at Charlotte Motor Speedway and multiple top‑four results at Iowa Speedway.
Finch, who made his 2026 debut at EchoPark Speedway in July, will contest four playoff races with JR Motorsports, with additional dates slated for Bristol, Charlotte and Talladega Superspeedway in October, following a five‑race agreement that follows his late‑race exit at Atlanta.
JR Motorsports has no plans to field the No. 9 car in the remaining five playoff venues — World Wide Technology Raceway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Phoenix Raceway, Martinsville Speedway and Homestead‑Miami Speedway — leaving the No. 9 entry limited to the Darlington opener and the scheduled playoff dates.
The Fleetio 200 will kick off the 2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series postseason on September 5, with live coverage provided by the CW Network, setting the stage for a competitive stretch that promises fresh storylines and heightened excitement.